The Women’s Jewelry Association held its annual Awards for Excellence gala this week, celebrating those in the industry who have succeeded in their respective careers. Also taking place were the AGS Circle of Distinction dinner and the naming of the New Designer of the Year. It’s the week that happened, in photos.
Read more »

High quality agates with the best patterns, banding or intense colors are in demand and increasing in price. Learn more about this sought-after gemstone and see eight pieces that highlight the variety of agate that’s available.
Read more »

Gray diamonds have come into fashion of late, with designers embracing the way the cool hue updates the traditional stone or provides unique bridal opportunities. See 11 designs in all shades of gray.
Read more »

With the “boyfriend” style big in women’s fashion right now, cufflinks could be a fit for both genders, helping to dress up a woman’s shirt or blouse. Providence, R.I.-based brand Anson has cufflinks for days, with styles that appeal to men and women.
Read more »

Designer Polly Wales sets her gemstones inside precious metals in a way that is meant to have a “rough luxe” look created by nature. See 10 of the new pieces she recently added to her signature collection.
Read more »

Sales expert Peter Smith writes that a jeweler recently approached him with a somewhat odd, but not entirely unthinkable, question: Should he hire a customer as a salesperson in his store? Smith examines both sides of the issue in his latest column.
Read more »

These one-off earrings are dendritic quartz with lapis, pyrite, emeralds and diamonds in 18-karat gold with sterling silver stars. They are by Jocelyn Prestia, who was just named the Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year.
Read more »

The latest edition of our digital magazine helps retailers use summer downtime to plan their holiday marketing. Plus, 10 pieces of jewelry that match Pantone’s fall colors and a primer on the correct language for lab-grown diamonds.
Read more »

The Week In Photos

July 26 to August 1, 2015A number of events took place in New York City this week, with Jocelyn Prestia of jewelry brand Unhada named New Designer of the Year at the JA New York Summer show and Ryan Berg elected board chairman of Jewelers of America.

Also in New York, the Women’s Jewelry Association held its annual Awards for Excellence gala at Chelsea Piers, and the American Gem Society hosted its Circle of Distinction dinner, honoring jeweler Georgie Gleim, JCK’s Yancy Weinrich and John Green of Lux, Bond & Green.

Galleries

Silver Spotlight: AnsonWhen we think of cufflinks, what typically comes to mind is men’s jewelry--but that isn’t always the case.

Women accessorizing with cufflinks is something that has been around for some time, said jewelry and style expert Michael O’Connor.

“It’s not something new,” he said. “I believe the first time we saw it was in the ‘40s. Because it was the first time many women had been in the workforce, their outfits took on more masculine ideals--lapels got wider, shoulder pads became fashionable. So even if cufflinks weren’t being worn, large buttons would simulate the look of one.”

Now, the masculine look in women’s fashion is back again--think the “boyfriend”-style shirt and jeans many brands advertise and, in jewelry, and the popularity of large-faced or men’s watches for ladies.

“So why not dress up the cuffs on a blouse or shirt?” O’Connor said. “It’s out there, and women are noticing (cufflinks) and playing around with them. There are so many styles available--you can go flashy or conservative.”

The rise of the cufflink among women also is the result of the surging popularity of jewelry wear among men.

“I think what has aided the resurgence of cufflinks in women’s clothes is that more men are starting to wear them as they become less concerned about wearing jewelry overall,” O’Connor said. “Men have the watch, then the wedding band, and cufflinks are the next piece for them to wear. It’s evolution.”

Click through this gallery to see 10 sterling silver cufflinks from Anson that are perfect for women or men. All prices listed are retail.

Gray diamonds have come into fashion as designers embrace the moody hue that turns any design into a cooler version of its old self. Gray diamond engagement rings are great for the millennial customer who wants something new and fresh, while fashion jewelry looks updated and slightly cooler with a hint of gray.

The price points are pleasant, too, so jewelers should consider dabbling in all types of jewels that have a little gray edge.

Here are 11 designs that will offer clients something with a little kick to it.

Gemstone Spotlight: Polly WalesDesigner Polly Wales likes to set her gemstones in precious metals in such a way that the resulting effect has a “from-the-earth” aesthetic, like the stones are breaking through the surface of the gold.

Her designs are an eclectic mix of references from Byzantine and Indian jewelry as well as trends in high fashion, though the designer said that it is ultimately the women who wear her pieces who dictate how the jewelry evolves.

Wales unveiled many new designs in her signature collection at this year’s Couture show, as she transitions to using the process of lost wax casting for her jewelry.

See 10 of the designer’s newest pieces in this slideshow. All prices listed are retail.

Fine Jewelry Industry News

Precious Metals Reports & Analysis

National Jeweler brings North American independent jewelers the most urgent jewelry news necessary for running their day-to-day business. We have been serving jewelry retailers' news needs continuously since 1906. Our intense coverage of the fine retail jewelry industry news focuses on pressing industry developments, such as precious metls news as prices for gold, silver and platinum continue to rise. By providing jewelers with top jewelry industry analysis, reports, and statistics, we help jewelers maximize their market opportunities. Jewelers rely on the fine jewelry news provided by National Jeweler to compete optimally in market marked by an ever-increasing level of competition. As the industry's premier jewelry industry news source, we enable business owners to meet their goals for sales and profitability. National Jeweler's editorial staff relies on decades of experience to provide these jewelers with he best jewelry industry analysis available.